Flambeau Goose floaters

boos1906 · 11-19-2008, 01:38 PM

Hey guys I am looking at buying some goose floaters this weekend at cabelas. I dont have alot of money right now. I am trying to get as much as I possibly can. I eventually want to run all green head gear life size floaters. But I would really like to have a dozen floaters rather than 8. Just wondering if any of guys have the flambeau goose floaters? How are they? How do they compare to the green head gear? Would you guys just go ahead and buy the green head gear right now and buy a few less of them?

Blast n Cast · 11-19-2008, 01:51 PM

IMO, if you like the GHG's, the difference in spread size between 8 and 12 is pretty small, get the GHG's.

**Ty Stromquist** · 11-19-2008, 03:23 PM

for sure with geese buy the smaller amount in a quality looking decoy. It will kill more birds than numbers.

mtgreenheads · 11-19-2008, 03:37 PM

Agree with the folks above. BUT, I dont think the BF floaters can be beat as far as durability and longevity. Endless stories abound with the GHG floaters breaking in the house during assembly.

Commando · 11-19-2008, 04:15 PM

Go with the BF floaters. I've used GHG and think they are too heavy and the heads always fall off. I've still got a few flambeus that I'm using this year but they will be out of the spread for good next year and will be replaced with BF's. You won't regret buying 4 fewer dekes when you're pounding the honks and adding to your spread in the future.

BPbowhunter · 11-19-2008, 05:37 PM

I really like my GHG LS floaters and I've never had any trouble with the heads, but i've heard horror stories about them. I agree that they are also a little heavy, which isn't bad if you don't have to pack them in, but in most of my situations it's at least a quarter mile to a half mile hike.

I've heard good things about the BF floaters also. I think the GHG look better, but durability wise the BF take the cake.

Hope Waterfowlers · 11-19-2008, 08:56 PM

The GHG's are a little tricky, you will want to be careful when you first put the heads on, but they are very realistic looking. That is what we use. They are heavier, but you won't care about that when you are dragging all of those dead geese out of your hunting spot

ajj16 · 11-19-2008, 10:02 PM

I was in the same boat as you, i'm a college kid looking to make my spread bigger but didn't have a lot of money, i bought a box of 4 flambeau floater/field convertables, i wish i would have saved some of the money and bought some bigfoots or ghg's, don't get me wrong, i've killed ducks with the Flambeau geese, but i just think the other ones look better...

bigquackattack · 11-19-2008, 10:18 PM

I have some BF floaters and some GHG lifesize floaters. After only some use in two years, the GHG are in better shape than the BF. I have some BF heads that won't stay on and some of the flocking is coming off. I haven't had any real problems with the lifesize GHG.

As far as looks on the water, I like the BFs better. I haven't tried them but the Herters 007 goose floaters from Cabelas look real good. They are not flocked though. G&H makes nice looking floaters as well, but again they are not flocked. Flocked heads do make a difference, but are something you have to take care of on floaters.

Alex T. · 11-19-2008, 10:22 PM

Here's my opinion for what it's worth. I started out the same as you;looking to get as much as possible as fast as possible. IMHO,you'll be money/time ahead to buy quality first and build your spread over a couple of years than to buy less quality and go thru the hassle of selling/buying stuff until you get what you really want in the end. Ask 20 different waterfowlers and you'll probably get 18-20 different answers on what is best and what ya must have. Most waterfowl stuff is to sell the product first and kill birds over second. For the most durable and decent looking decoy---Bigfoot. For a better realistic looking decoy---GHG,Hardcore,DSDs,etc. If I had a permanent setup,I'd invest in top of the line realism and forego a little durability.However,for my hunting type(changing fields alot),I run the most durable(Bigfoots) cause I'm always tossing them in/out of the truck,shed,or garage. I can't justify spending another $60-$100 per dz. decoys to need bags to protect them. Lastly,save your money and run a smaller spread, buy what you really want and what you'll be hunting over for a long time,you'll be ahead in the end.

Alex

Commando · 11-20-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex T.

Lastly,save your money and run a smaller spread, buy what you really want and what you'll be hunting over for a long time,you'll be ahead in the end.

Regardless of the brand you choose, money spent on quality equipment only hurts once. I'm finally coming to this realization with my decoys.

Alex T. · 11-20-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

I'm finally coming to this realization with my decoys.

Commando,
As did I a few years back.

Alex

**Ty Stromquist** · 11-20-2008, 11:41 AM

GHG changed that head style last year on the oversize.

While they do weigh more you can sure look in my decoy spread and tell which ones are the GHG. We have landed geese in them and really it is hard to tell the oversize ghg dekes from the real birds. AWESOME.

Not a fan of the lifesize. Basically those bass pro shop decoys are the exact same as those.

Buy the new style oversize GHG or some bigfoots. I have the old style bigfoots but I have heard the new ones have problems with the flocking.

If anyone that has hunted with me on here knows my GHG oversize look almost brand new yet. I pack them in and out every single day and they get beat. They are the old style with the stupid heads but GHG sent me new heads so I go extras now.

bigquackattack · 11-20-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commando

Regardless of the brand you choose, money spent on quality equipment only hurts once. I'm finally coming to this realization with my decoys.

I have to kindly disagree with that. I had some decoys out on a private spot I was hunting when we had that big rain in October. I lost nine full body geese and a dozen full body ducks. They were on shore, some quite a ways up. The water came up so fast all of the full bodies went underwater. I did find seven geese that didn't sink. I am hoping to go back there next summer and maybe recover a few more when the water drops again. I think they will defintely need repainting and flocking.

Diver Mike · 11-20-2008, 02:53 PM

Heres my take on the situation

Numbers kill geese, if you can find 2 dozen used old style Flambeau goose floaters for $150 buy them. Buy a quart of white latex house paint and touch up the white areas. You will kill more geese with 2 dozen floaters than 8 brand new flocked head floaters.

Add to your spread yearly with quality decoys, put the new decoys downwind in your spread. Then never sell your old decoys, but continue to buy new decoys, pretty soon you have a garage, shed, and attic full of decoys. Fairly soon you will have more decoys than you can transport or care to ever put out. You will lose things for a few years under a massive pile of decoys in your shed and then when you move you will find this thing that you thought you lost, like a snow blower or mower.

Then have a garage sale and sell your old mower since you had to buy a new mower because you couldn't find your old one.
With that money buy more decoys.

11-19-2008, 01:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
boos1906 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Flambeau Goose floaters Hey guys I am looking at buying some goose floaters this weekend at cabelas. I dont have alot of money right now. I am trying to get as much as I possibly can. I eventually want to run all green head gear life size floaters. But I would really like to have a dozen floaters rather than 8. Just wondering if any of guys have the flambeau goose floaters? How are they? How do they compare to the green head gear? Would you guys just go ahead and buy the green head gear right now and buy a few less of them?

11-19-2008, 03:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ty Stromquist Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: in a treestand Posts: 4,021 Thanks: 52 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	for sure with geese buy the smaller amount in a quality looking decoy. It will kill more birds than numbers. __________________ "Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person." - Fred Bear

11-19-2008, 04:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Commando Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norfolk, NE Posts: 264 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Go with the BF floaters. I've used GHG and think they are too heavy and the heads always fall off. I've still got a few flambeus that I'm using this year but they will be out of the spread for good next year and will be replaced with BF's. You won't regret buying 4 fewer dekes when you're pounding the honks and adding to your spread in the future. __________________ I like poetry, long walks on the beach, and poking dead things with a stick.

11-19-2008, 05:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
BPbowhunter 2007 NEFGA Outdoorsman Of The Year Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Broken Bow Posts: 2,513 Thanks: 8 Thanked 32 Times in 24 Posts	I really like my GHG LS floaters and I've never had any trouble with the heads, but i've heard horror stories about them. I agree that they are also a little heavy, which isn't bad if you don't have to pack them in, but in most of my situations it's at least a quarter mile to a half mile hike. I've heard good things about the BF floaters also. I think the GHG look better, but durability wise the BF take the cake. __________________ Whackin' Woodies Waterfowl Crew "Look, a pair of singles!"

11-19-2008, 08:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hope Waterfowlers Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 33 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The GHG's are a little tricky, you will want to be careful when you first put the heads on, but they are very realistic looking. That is what we use. They are heavier, but you won't care about that when you are dragging all of those dead geese out of your hunting spot __________________ - Hope Waterfowlers - "Sleep? Who needs sleep? It's hunting season..."

11-19-2008, 01:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Blast n Cast Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 75 Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	IMO, if you like the GHG's, the difference in spread size between 8 and 12 is pretty small, get the GHG's.

11-19-2008, 03:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
mtgreenheads Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Agree with the folks above. BUT, I dont think the BF floaters can be beat as far as durability and longevity. Endless stories abound with the GHG floaters breaking in the house during assembly.

11-19-2008, 10:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
ajj16 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stanton/Lincoln Posts: 30 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I was in the same boat as you, i'm a college kid looking to make my spread bigger but didn't have a lot of money, i bought a box of 4 flambeau floater/field convertables, i wish i would have saved some of the money and bought some bigfoots or ghg's, don't get me wrong, i've killed ducks with the Flambeau geese, but i just think the other ones look better...

11-19-2008, 10:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
bigquackattack Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Close to the creek Posts: 128 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	I have some BF floaters and some GHG lifesize floaters. After only some use in two years, the GHG are in better shape than the BF. I have some BF heads that won't stay on and some of the flocking is coming off. I haven't had any real problems with the lifesize GHG. As far as looks on the water, I like the BFs better. I haven't tried them but the Herters 007 goose floaters from Cabelas look real good. They are not flocked though. G&H makes nice looking floaters as well, but again they are not flocked. Flocked heads do make a difference, but are something you have to take care of on floaters. Last edited by bigquackattack; 11-19-2008 at 10:21 PM.

11-19-2008, 10:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
Alex T. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: under the lids of a laydown blind Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 3,419 Thanks: 0 Thanked 62 Times in 35 Posts	Here's my opinion for what it's worth. I started out the same as you;looking to get as much as possible as fast as possible. IMHO,you'll be money/time ahead to buy quality first and build your spread over a couple of years than to buy less quality and go thru the hassle of selling/buying stuff until you get what you really want in the end. Ask 20 different waterfowlers and you'll probably get 18-20 different answers on what is best and what ya must have. Most waterfowl stuff is to sell the product first and kill birds over second. For the most durable and decent looking decoy---Bigfoot. For a better realistic looking decoy---GHG,Hardcore,DSDs,etc. If I had a permanent setup,I'd invest in top of the line realism and forego a little durability.However,for my hunting type(changing fields alot),I run the most durable(Bigfoots) cause I'm always tossing them in/out of the truck,shed,or garage. I can't justify spending another $60-$100 per dz. decoys to need bags to protect them. Lastly,save your money and run a smaller spread, buy what you really want and what you'll be hunting over for a long time,you'll be ahead in the end. Alex __________________ Listening to an e-caller daily to help pass the time until they come back

11-20-2008, 11:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
Ty Stromquist Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: in a treestand Posts: 4,021 Thanks: 52 Thanked 25 Times in 20 Posts	GHG changed that head style last year on the oversize. While they do weigh more you can sure look in my decoy spread and tell which ones are the GHG. We have landed geese in them and really it is hard to tell the oversize ghg dekes from the real birds. AWESOME. Not a fan of the lifesize. Basically those bass pro shop decoys are the exact same as those. Buy the new style oversize GHG or some bigfoots. I have the old style bigfoots but I have heard the new ones have problems with the flocking. If anyone that has hunted with me on here knows my GHG oversize look almost brand new yet. I pack them in and out every single day and they get beat. They are the old style with the stupid heads but GHG sent me new heads so I go extras now. __________________ "Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person." - Fred Bear

11-20-2008, 02:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
Diver Mike Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Decoys Heres my take on the situation Numbers kill geese, if you can find 2 dozen used old style Flambeau goose floaters for $150 buy them. Buy a quart of white latex house paint and touch up the white areas. You will kill more geese with 2 dozen floaters than 8 brand new flocked head floaters. Add to your spread yearly with quality decoys, put the new decoys downwind in your spread. Then never sell your old decoys, but continue to buy new decoys, pretty soon you have a garage, shed, and attic full of decoys. Fairly soon you will have more decoys than you can transport or care to ever put out. You will lose things for a few years under a massive pile of decoys in your shed and then when you move you will find this thing that you thought you lost, like a snow blower or mower. Then have a garage sale and sell your old mower since you had to buy a new mower because you couldn't find your old one. With that money buy more decoys.

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